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SPUR Opposes the Proposed Revision to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

Advocacy Letter /
The Federal Government's proposed changes to SNAP state heating and cooling utility allowances could result in more than 542,000 people in California losing access to food assistance. It would also directly, and negatively, impact the low-income families and grocery stores participating in SPUR's Double Up Food Bucks Program. SPUR supports maximizing enrollment in federally funded food assistance programs.

SPUR's Urban Village Comments to the General Plan Task Force

Advocacy Letter /
Staff’s memo regarding the proposed modifications to the Urban Village general plan policy. SPUR has been a continuous supporter of the San Jose’s Urban Village plan as a way to create more mixed-use, higher density development throughout San Jose.

SPUR Support Letter for DISC Spatial Layout Recommendation

Advocacy Letter /
SPUR weighs in on the proposed spatial layout for the San Jose Diridon Station. SPUR supports the staff recommendation on: elevated station platforms, creating two concourses with four entrances, the revised concept for the northern segment that shifts the stations platform south, and maintaining the existing corridor to the South and not creating a rail viaduct structure over the I-28-/87 interchange.

Member Profile: John Rahaim

Urbanist Article /
On the eve of his retirement, San Francisco Planning Director John Rahaim reflects on his 12 years in the city by the bay,

We Are the Bay

Urbanist Article /
As part of the SPUR Regional Strategy, we sent photographer Ryan Young out to meet his neighbors. Over the course of a week, Young traveled 2,000 miles north, south, east and west to capture images of residents in the Bay Area's many and varied communities.

It Takes a Village

Policy Brief /
San Jose’s 2040 general plan proposed “urban villages” as a key strategy for sustainable growth. These higher-density, mixed-use urban places would concentrate new offices, stores and housing in locations accessible by transit, foot or bike. But only a handful of the 60 designated urban villages have projects underway. SPUR recommends strategies to remove barriers and successfully implement San Jose’s urban village vision.

Don’t Dismiss Transportation Pilot Projects: We Need More Wild Ideas

News /
When cities and transit agencies pilot new kinds of services, the early ridership numbers are not always strong, leading many to dismiss the new ideas — and the agencies for trying them. But this skepticism undermines the purpose of pilots: to test new ways to get people out of their cars. Rather than pooh-poohing pilots, we should embrace them as a chance to learn.

A New Vision for Coyote Valley

News /
San Jose’s Coyote Valley is a paradox: Just 20 minutes south of downtown, miles of farmland and open space provide natural habitat for rare and endangered species. For a decade, locals have debated whether to preserve the land or build manufacturing space and grow jobs. Last week, San Jose City Council settled the debate, agreeing to purchase and preserve more than 900 acres.

November 2019 Voter Guide

Voter Guide /
Six city propositions appear on the San Francisco ballot on November 5, 2019. SPUR provides in-depth analysis and recommendations on each one.

San Francisco Prop A - Affordable Housing Bond

Ballot Measure /
Authorizes the city to issue $600 million in general obligation bonds to fund affordable housing opportunities for extremely low-, low- and middle-income households.

San Francisco Prop C - E-Cigarette Regulations

Ballot Measure /
Overturns a recent ordinance effectively banning the sale of electronic cigarettes in San Francisco and establishes a set of regulations for the sale of these products.

San Francisco Prop D - Ride-Hailing Tax

Ballot Measure /
Imposes a tax on rides provided by transportation network companies, private transit services and autonomous vehicles, with a lower tax rate for shared rides and rides in zero-emission vehicles.

San Francisco Prop E - (11/2019) Affordable and Educator Housing

Ballot Measure /
Encourages the construction of 100% affordable housing and educator housing by creating streamlined permitting processes and loosening requirements,setting timelines for approvals and allowing these types of housing to be built on public land.

San Francisco Prop F - Campaign Contributions and Ads

Ballot Measure /
Prohibits individuals associated with large development projects from donating to certain city candidates while their project is under consideration and increases donor disclosure requirements for political advertisements.

Kincade Fire: It Will Take a Region to Combat Our Shared Threats

News /
The Kincade Fire has forced the largest-ever evacuation of Sonoma County and threatens areas that are still recovering from the devastating fires of 2017. As the climate changes, the threats to California communities are becoming more frequent and more severe. And if we don’t plan regionally, the resilience investments we do make may not have the expected payoff.

2019 Silver SPUR Awards: How Michael Krasny's Storytelling Informs and Engages San Francisco

News /
2019 Silver SPUR Honoree Michael Krasny, Ph.D., is a professor of English language and literature at SFSU and host of KQED’s “Forum with Michael Krasny.” He discovered literature at a young age and has been telling poignant stories through his numerous books and radio show ever since. Michael serves the public through broadcast journalism that spreads information about the world’s most pressing topics.

2019 Silver SPUR Awards: How Jane Graf Pursues Her Belief That Housing Is a Human Right

News /
2019 Silver SPUR Honoree Jane Graf is the president and CEO of Mercy Housing, one of the nation's largest affordable housing organizations. She seeks to provide affordable, reliable housing options for the Bay Area's most vulnerable populations. Currently, she is working on transforming affordable housing in the Sunnydale-Velasco neighborhood, a partnership with Hope SF.